Saturday, March 04, 2006

Scientology in Rolling Stone

The new issue of Rolling Stone magazine has a lengthy article on Scientology that is quite fascinating. Anyone who in interested in the more in-depth rituals and details of this weird religion (some would say "cult", but I would apply that adjective to all religions) would do well to read this piece.

Most people are unaware of just exactly how fucked in the head this religion is. When the South Park episode (scroll about a third of the way down) aired and they described what the church folks believe, my wife was flabbergasted. Once again, the order is 1. brainwash and then, 2. (in the manner of Professor Frink) tell about the evil aliens with the throwing in the volcanos and the spirits and the GllayVen!

Reading the article, I was taken aback by the outward anti-gay and anti-racial mixing message. Check out these quotes:

Of homosexuals - "No social order will survive which does not remove these people from its midst."

Questions on a "security check", which is adminsitered to OTs every six months - "Have you ever been involved in an abortion?" "Have you ever practiced sex with animals?" "Have you ever practiced sodomy?" "Have you ever slept with a member of a race of another color?" "Have you ever had any unkind thoughts about L. Ron Hubbard?"

Seriously, what the fuck does that have to do with anything if you're not in the KKK? This comes off sounding like a weird cross between the Klan and ultra-right-wing fundamentalism. And you thought Tom Cruise was fucked up before.

Oh, speaking of celebrities, here's that bastion of clear thinking, Madonna, speaking near the end of last year to Rolling Stone about Cruise:

"We're both in the take-a-lot-of-shit club together...I don't really know what Scientology is, and because I don't know, I'm not in a position to have an opinion about it. But I don't think anybody else knows, either." Of Kabbalah and Scientology critics? In her enlightened words, "(T)hey need to shut the fuck up."

Really? Nobody else knows what Scientology is, so we should all shut the fuck up? There, ladies and gentlemen, is a true scientific mind, willing to go to great lengths to find out the answers to what it is she does not understand. Can we please keep these asshats relegated to their area of expertise? Please?

For a group that has such a non-frightening outward appearance, Scientology is deeper and more controlling than many many people realize. This article is required reading for anyone curious about the inner workings of a cult (segregation, separation from family, rigorous indoctrination, physical confinement, psychological manipulation, and information restriction are all hallmarks of a brainwashing cult). I expect the Xenu fans to freak out and start boycotting Rolling Stone after this breaks out wide.

Things I Doubt: Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron's ability to put together a decent argument...or a decent sandwich, for that matter; Oprah Winfrey's judgment about anything; Jenny McCarthy's anatomical conformity, by which I mean, I think she has neither a brain nor a heart; Jim Carrey's status as a Canadian - am I allowed to unilaterally decline that?; believers in acupuncture and their ability to accept that it is a fantasy; and the justness of a world where I am not rich for my truly amazing humor but Reality TV "stars" continue to rake in the cash.